~ Inspiring Personalities is a profiling journal that seeks to motivate , elevate , recognise women who have defied odds and excelled in their careers across the globe. It is a diary of Women of inspiration and Mothers of hope

POI-2018 is a year of defining real talent and artistic diversity for POI. We bring you high profile personality of inspiration in the area of creativity and arts. Bina is an International cultural practitioner, a poet of a higher caliber, a mentor, a publisher, a brilliant arts curator and an editor of global repute. POI is highly gratified to feature this prominent mother figure of the global arts community. Readers, young artists, curators and young women voices tap the juices of wisdom and the honey of tenacity from our own artistic honey cob, Bina Sarkar Ellias!

The proverbial “eureka moment” happened rather late in life. While I am a writer-journalist by profession, I’ve had several punctuations, as it were, in my life as a daughter, mother and wife; as a woman. While I was engaged in all of these roles as most women are, I had forgotten my identity as an individual. One day, when the much-required brick fell on my head, I woke up to the realization that my core creative passions were gathering cobwebs in the closet. That was when I gave myself a tangible purpose. Conceptually, Gallerie’s perspective rose out of all the interests I had nurtured in my youth. When I initiated the journal in 1997, I did not have a clue who my readers would be. Today, after 18 years, I realize my readers are “the curious”. They have been reading and collecting Gallerie for the treasures we have unearthed and shared.

In 1984, Bina Sarkar Ellias co-founded the advertising agency “Nucleus”, with Rafeeq Ellias and worked for 12 years as its Creative Director. In 1997, she founded International Gallerie, a bi-annual arts and ideas magazine that she edits, designs and publishes.

In recognition of her efforts she has been awarded a Woman Achiever’s award by FICCI/FLO 2013, Woman Achiever of the year by TimesGroup & ITC, in 2008 and a Fellowship from the Asia Leadership Fellow Program and Japan Foundation for research and development of the project: Unity in Diversity: Envisioning Community Building in Asia and Beyond, Tokyo, in 2007 in recognition of her work in encouraging knowledge, understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. She has also been recipient of the Prince Claus Awards.

Ellias has been invited to speak at various venues, chaired the New Moves Festival discussion with 10 Asian women artists in Glasgow as well as other fora in London, San Francisco, New York, Tokyo, Teheran, Dacca, Lahore, Karachi, Delhi, Santiniketan, Kolkata and Mumbai.[

She taught herself graphic design and has been invited by artists, galleries, photographers and a poet to design their books and catalogues. To date, she has designed and edited, Fifty Years of Contemporary Indian Art, 1997, for the Mohile Parikh Centre for Visual Arts, Mumbai, 1997 She has designed artist Jehangir Sabavala‘s catalogue for the 2002 show in Mumbai [5], Delhi and New York, artist Rekha Rodwittiya’s catalogue, 2003 and recently in 2007, for shows in New York, Crossing Generations: diverge, the fortieth anniversary catalogue for Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, 2004, and a book on artist Tyeb Mehta, Svaraj by Ramchandra Gandhi. She has designed, edited and published an art book, Chinthala Jagdish:Unmasked, 2004, and The Curious World of Chinthala Jagdish, 2008, a book of poems, Rain, for Indian poet Sudeep Sen, 2005, Ayesha Taleyarkhan’s book of photographs:, Bombay Mumbai, 2005, American photographer, Waswo X. Waswo’s book, India Poems: The Photographs and his recent catalogue, A Studio in Rajasthan, 2008. She has edited and designed photographer, Leena Kejriwal’s book, Calcutta: Repossessing the City. And artist Surendran Nair’s book, Itinerant Mythologies, 2008.

Ellias has curated several art shows: ‘Rain’ at Sakshi Art Gallery, Bombay, commissioning 32 Indian contemporary artists to make works on Rain; ‘Kashmir’ at Tao Art Gallery, Bombay, where artists from Jammu & Kashmir, long-marginalised, were invited to present their works with mainstream Indian artists in an awareness program of Kashmir, its history and conflict; and ‘The Curious World of Chinthala Jagdish, a show of the Hyderabad artist and his whimsical art works. She was invited to curate the online show of international art by Dawn Delikat and launched her curatorial project ‘Tagore Lost and Found’ with 30 Indian artists at Siddhartha Tagore’s Art Bull Gallery in New Delhi, 1 March 2013. She recently curated ‘Migration’ for the Pune Biennale 2017. It included photography, films and poetry mounted in six shipping containers with junk art created by Pune artists in the foreground.

A poet, her chapbook of poems, ‘The Room’ has been published by AarkArts, UK, besides having appeared in various magazines, anthologies and online poetry sites. Her book of poems ‘Fuse’ has been published by Poetry Primero, an imprint of Poetrywall, 2017. poems from it have been translated into Arabic, Urdu, French and Chinese. A Chinese edition of FUSE will be launched at the Formosa Poetry Festival in Tamsui, Taiwan, 2017. FUSE has also been taught at the Towson University in Maryland, USA.

A Journey of Ideas. 1997-2014, International Gallerie

Gallerie’s mission is to foster knowledge and understanding of diverse communities and their socio-political/cultural issues as interpreted through excellence in the arts and the written word. Our work celebrates diversity in all its cultural forms, the visual and performing arts, photography, cinema, essays and poetry. At Gallerie, we believe that culture is a vital thread connecting the world. It is culture that humanizes. We communicate these exigencies to our readers in a sumptuous 13”x10” format, making each issue a feast for the eyes and intellect. At the launch of every issue, we encourage inquiry, and debate, engaging our audience in interactive discussions, besides having readings and performances. The positive feedback from many of our global readers that Gallerie has altered their perception of life, has contributed in strength to our work.

Gallerie, the bi-annual arts and ideas magazine was founded in 1997 in India, by its editor, designer and publisher Bina Sarkar Ellias(galleriemag@gmail.com)

POI- DAWN is an inspiration like her name, her works shine like the rising sun. We wake up to the embrace of the orange like yellow tinge gently quilting the eastern horizon slightly above our African hills and we hear excited songs of early morning birds . We nod our sleep ridden heads as our foul, tired breath resonate with fart of the wind and the jive of infant sun-rays over the hills . DAWN is here, we all run to the village pulpit to beat the drum to invite for another millet beer binge or Mbaqanga concert. It’s Dawn. We are greatly humbled to present DAWN , an artist ,philanthropist , social ,climate , environment activist , writer ,poet ,organizer, originator and singer . Continue to follow our blog journals, contact us at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com .

My greatest achievements, range from building a green, Eco- conscious self sustainable farm (which I feel is a life achievement) to recording and releasing my first album (The Faraway Sessions part 1), as well as the continued work I am doing with my art (painting, charcoals and tattooing) and decor and art for festivals such as splashy fen. I feel that having the strength to pursue my creative passions, as well as the stamina to continue despite the challenges, is my greatest achievement.

I have worked on projects such as Kwasuka Sukela (which provides a platform for local artist from every field from music to art and poetry), to assisting in developing the organisation called SACCRA (South African Cannabis and Community Regulatory Association) which has been lobbying for the free and fair access to the cannabis plant for all, as well as Izihlahla Ezil’hlaza, which is an initiative that aims to use art, music, photography and poetry to bring attention to social and environmental awareness issues. My next goal is to set up a local art and creativity centre for the youth of Hammarsdale/Mpumalanga area .

I have been working on the content for my second album, which I plan to record soon and release early next year, as well as the development of a local folk and reggae outdoor festival for early next year.

To woman and girls all over the world, we are the creators, the nurtures…we must nurture ourselves and each other and let our light and strength as woman shine through all that we do. We are strong beyond our physical capacity, our light is great beyond measure, and we must never again shrink from this strength and light in order to make others feel less insecure, but rather walk forward, confident of our abilities, leading by example.

You can contact DAWN at the following email contacts,twistedtreeorganics@gmail.com.

POI- Despina Kontaxi B – is undoubtedly a great poetess of Greek origin , she boasts of a profound literary arts resume and a well decorated career in letters ,culture arts and poetry. Doctor of Letters , Translator , Spoken word Artist and Educator, Despina is featured in this Special November POI 2017 blog journal to help inspire several literary arts practioners ,poets , writers and artists dotted around the globe ,as well as reminding them that sheer determination , resilience , effort ,patience and creative potential are undefeatable attributes that bring success to our doorsteps for the betterment of self and our countries.

What is your greatest life, artistic, academic and creative Achievements?
Well, it must be the fact that I never give up when I have a vision or dream. Also the fact that I always try to be a bit better every time I create something, usually poetically. I don’t have one specific in my mind and I think it will be unfair to mention just one or two. So creating is the greatest achievement. To walk on a journey that brings you close to new ideas, cultures and friends is a gift that life gives you.

What roles are you playing in transforming your communities?

I always thought that roles where part of ancient Greek theatre, but since you are asking, inspiring roles I hope. Let us say as a physiotherapist and a poetess. These are my two basic roles. I hope to add a speck of light to what is called Modern Greek poetry by carving a small route on its path. In Greek the word poetry means to mend or to create.

What are your future prospects in your career and your life?
My future prospects to spread arts as much as possible, especially poetry, which is an art that I am really fond of. Artists should co-operate with each other. I believe that this is when the best forms of arts are born. When arts unite miracles can happen.

What is your parting shot to fellow women and girls?

Follow your dreams and don’t give up on them until you achieve them. Also remember that failure is a part of success.

Despina Kontaxis B– a Poetess and Translator was born in Greece on 22 July 1978. She is a recipient of Poeta Crociato Dell’ Unione Mondiale Dei Poeti –Crusader Poet of World Union of Poets (Italy), 1st Book Award by ISGWA for the book “Pravi-100 years of freedom” (Greece), 2nd Award at the 1st International Poetry Competition OLTEPA for the poem “Eros-wine-vineyard”­ (Greece), Mahatma Fule Talent Research Academy with the Mahatma Fule International Award,(Nagpur, India), 3 World Awards at the World Poetry Competition Interartia for the poems “The fall of Trapezounta”, “Cries” and “Heritage”. Book Award by the International Society of Greek Writers and Artists ISGWA for her book “The loneliness of the bedwalker” (Greece) Book Award “Midnight” by the ISGWA for the book “The purple kiss”(Greece). Honorary Distinction by the Panhellenic Union of Writers at the 26th Delphi Poetry Competition. (Greece), Award “Ares” for the poem “You are the light” at the 1st Mediterranean Poetry Competition (Greece) Metal by the UPLI for her contribution to World Brotherhood and Poetry (Greece).

Award by the ISGWA for the total of her poetry work (Greece), 3 World Awards at the World Poetry Competition Interartia for her poems “Echo of tragedy”, “Gloven balloon” and “Man was made” (Greece), “Award-Metal of Benefator” for the District of Kavala, Greece for her contribution in promoting the area where she lives through the Art of Poetry (Greece). Her poems have been selected by: The UN Disarmament Office, her poem “Hibakusha”, was selected for the top 10 in promoting Disarmament through Poetry (Japan), her poem “Sentimental Parade” was included in the Wedding Anthology “A Royal Romance” by Forward Press for William and Kate (UK). She is a recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Letters (UK) and Honorary Doctor of Poetry (Greece).

POI- A PERSONALITY OF INSPIRATION INDEED. Jambiya is a colorful , creative ,literary arts genius ,She has written volumes of nerve wrecking verse , touch ing fiction and non-fiction for social change. She is a word slinger for social , cultural and political change.Jambiya is a strong and powerful personality who is inspiring youthful and elder generations in Africa and across world. Some of her inspiring poems and writings are awash online . Her poetry is published both in MiomboPublishing(Zimbabwe) and the Tuck MAGAZINE(Canada). She is a BRAVE VOICES member and a stauch supporter of the ZIMBABWE WE WANT POETRY CAMPAIGN. Readers kindly send your comments , likes and follow our blogjournal. You can contact us at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com

What is your greatest life, artistic, academic and creative Achievements?

This is such a difficult question since all the different elements of my life seem to merge somehow –

My greatest life achievement is being mother to 2 indescribably beautiful and adorable sons. While I no longer “mother” them, I still watch over their lives and pray for them without ceasing. This has been and is my greatest honor. This role has been the foundation for loving and caring about every other aspect of life and the lives of people who merge along my path.

What roles are you playing in transforming your communities?

God gave me the opportunity to use my passion to build into the lives of vulnerable and marginalized young people and adults – to transfer my creative and artistic skills to show them their own beauty and callings and be an agent for social and spiritual transformation.

To raise awareness, through arts, (i.e. my writing, poetry, singing and advocacy) of the plight and social position of Burn survivors of our nation and provide creative opportunities for integration with mainstream society.

I use my writing as a vehicle for social change and to combat injustice and mental slavery –

I am the founder of The Campio Burns Group and “Samaritan Woman”.

What are your future prospects in your career and your life?

*To finally publish my anthology and audio book of my most favorite works alongside a music recording project

*To embark upon itinerant performances and readings – that inspire, bring hope and speak out against injustice and oppression/abuse of women and children.

*To establish my own development and finishing society for artists – focusing on life skills and uplifting the disadvantaged and marginalized.

*to be a catalyst of hope; give the hopeless something worth living for.

**to grow my existing organization/group.

What is your parting shot to fellow women and girls?

You Can! You are a weapon of mass destruction.

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*Jambiya is an emotive South African writer and storyteller who weaves the tragedy and victory of the human experience into a tapestry of memorable imagery and metaphor.

* She writes and performs with honesty on the spiritual and social challenges of our time.

*Jambiya’s works are a feast to those accustomed to the jaded perfunctory cleverness of modern wordsmiths.

*Her works and theatre productions have received noteworthy reviews and acknowledgement from the Western Cape Premier as well as by the Minister of the Western Cape Department of Arts and Culture, Anroux Marais. The review below is for her theatre production called “Earth Moves”.

POI– Samukeliso Chuka is a rising and vibrant star in her own right. She is a promising Poet whose writings are oiled by paradox depicting unequal social and unbalanced political landscapes. POI has decided to feature this young but Creative poet as one of the PEACE MONTH Personality of inspiration. The rising poet needs more of our hand for her exposure. Talents have to be exposed to benefit both the author and the reader .Chuka proves to be well versed with a diverse pack of issues which influence her pen. Despite her tender age Chuka is an inspiration to many girls. You can contact the team at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com . We welcome comments, likes, views and follows. Happy International PEACE MONTH!

UNDERWEAR

“Tora gidi uzvitonge”,
They told us as they
Handed us bullet- less
Guns,

Preaching justice,
That I wonder,
Whose justice,
Which justice…..
If not juxtaposition of lost souls;
Democracy becoming destruction,
Strategic displacement of value
Now their main priority,

The Blackman in the Whiteman’s
Jacket,
The hypo -critique state,
Metonym of a forgotten struggle…..
Violence their fist possible
Pass for sanity,
Their delusions a pragmatic
mechanism of their madness.

Nihilism their only hope,
A confused nation,
A troubled nation,
Existentialism is their only plea,
Freedom they cry for,
But a whim of toxic air and sjamboks
they receive.
Creating desolation in the name
Of peace is their art.

Now I stand in my beloved country,
Tear jerked…
For I am but a languishing human,
In hostile exile…

Kimberly ss chuka.
@sphynxauditorium….

BETROTHED

Tattered mind, drifting with the wind.
Strange similarity
Hard to decipher.
A tomorrow is,
But an accidental yesterday;

That yesterday;
My betrothal day
Merry not,
Wonder in mother’s cruelty
Betrothing me to death,
Rather than a husband.
To her I was a burden,
A stain to her lavish life.

Her unborn child,
Though life she could give.
On that night;
Oh fateful night,
Quite night all barred out…..
Melancholic cry,
Though savior to my unborn self;

Sentimental paradox.
A mother’s love I knew not,
It transcends simply a charade,
Shouting crises surmounted in
turmoil,
To the twist of my fate.

Alas’
It grapples with truth,
And keeps to shadows,
This pain I can never but show.
For I was damned,
To betrothal.

Kimberly ss chuka.
@ sphynxauditorium.

NOW I SHALL SPEAK

Indeed I shall speak for I
have been quite for too long.
If I don’t break this silence
surely I shall be judged on that
Fateful day……

I will speak of the cruelty
That grips this urcursed
World. Of the jails they have
Filled with innocent people
While they place culprits in
Boardrooms….

I shall speak of the freedom they
Preach but cannot practice.
Of the people they have led to the slaughter in the name of politics.
I will speak of how offices have become bedrooms, of fathers who
find pleasure in the nakedness of their daughters;

Of how politics the leading business
to get you quick, yes I will speak of the war heroes turning in their graves because of the mockery you make of their sacrifice….

Speak I shall of how you go to sleep in parliament, acting like high school kids while the nation suffers in the spite of looking up to you for answers….

Of how power is now transformed through marriage and conjugality,
Yes I will say it out chief commandeering harlot who they make a role model, the harlot that looks down upon the ones do in what she did to gain power, of how you murdered them all for the sake of power;

As I speak I will also cry;
For you cde Josiah Magamba Tongogara,
Baba Joshua Mqabuko Chibwechitedza Nyongolo Nkomo,the torch bearer Solomon Mutsvairo,the henchman Edson Zvobgo……
For I am ashamed to say that the independence you fought for is no more…..

I will indeed speak of the monopoly you practice in our faces, of the voices that glitter with hatred yet we are one people.
Yes I shall speak of the wounds that have marred the academic face of a nation….

Yes I will speak of that death another funeral, a fallen hero but of what cause, Things fall apart, “Achebe”….

I have spoken and I will continue to speak, for my mouth is but a cave filled with defined words of the bitter truth..

Kimberly ss chuka.
@sphynxauditorium….

MELANCOLIQUE

In this dark corner i find my peace.
Away from all your sorrow….
As the deep hatred within me
destroys that little inner peace i had….

As my heart bleeds i wonder why?
Life is this unfair….
The people who are supposed to protect me are the ones who have destroyed me;

Mother going rogue, whilst father befriends the bottle, little brother calling me mother in that childhood innocence…..
Finally they have taken it away
the only pride i had and can never return! My childhood snatched before thine eyes…..becoming a mother to my brother at three,
While rejection loomed above us as our parents drowned in their misery….

Leaning on me to console your own pain,
Forgetting i was but only a child.
Finally i became a child to the wind when you divorced…..
The one you sent
me to became master and i slave, as i struggled to live and forget everything you had imposed on me, voices started forming in my head becoming the only friends i had…..

No one hears my cry neither do they see my worth, i walk in their shadows daily.
The pain seems to increase as i can only dream of studying as i see others my age going to school…
When iam nothing but a house help to my own family;

Your words have marred me, the thrashing stick you made my sibling has left scars i will carry all my life.
Father! Where are you?,
He can but not answer;
Mother i love you….
She can but not respond…little brother i miss you
Oh!i forgot people six
Feet under do not talk to the living……

Now all alone in this world i can but wonder when my own life will end.
For just as i close my eyes,
It all comes back to me, reopening those wounds that can but never heal……

Silibaziso ss chuka
Sphynx auditorium

Silibaziso SK .Chuka is a rising poet, writer and advocate of girl child rights. Her writings are influenced by her daily experiences and her surroundings. Her poetry is mainly paradoxical, depicting unbalanced Zimbabwe social landscapes. The Young poet has passion for Arts journalism and listens to Jazz and Soul Music.

POI- September is the month of PEACE and we all know mothers, sisters and daughters are doyens of peace. POI presents to you a creative and literary arts genius in the person of Grace Tafadzwa Mutandwa- princess of Zimbabwean creativity and literati. Mutandwa is a professional media expert, a mother of substance and a Pen – Slinger of note who enjoys digging through books to attain knowledge. While every day, she chisels her way through the thesauruses and encyclopedias to harvest that type of honey we call WISDOM.

Dear reader meets our personality of the month in this blog journal- Grace Tafadzwa Mutandwa. We invite your comments, your likes and even your suggestions on our journal site and articles; you can also contact us through our email address, inspiringoersonalities@gmail.com

My greatest life achievement was to be able to raise and nurture three children into useful members of society, into adults who are politically aware and who respect and promote human rights. Although I have been widely published I see myself as still growing and my first novel first published under the title; Whose Daughter my Child? (Now on Amazon under Oh Daniel!) Is my pride and joy because it is a creative story that speaks to many women on so many levels.

I returned to freelance work a few years ago. With enough free time on my hands I have been involved with mentoring young female journalists through a US embassy programme. One of the young women is now an editor of a magazine, another was applying for a Chevening Scholarship in our last communication while others are also pursuing other professional and academic opportunities. I wrote my memoirs, The Power and The Glory, through a Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe) journalist in residence programme. Through the memoirs I shared my experiences in a male dominated industry and also explored the country’s political terrain and what we could have done better as journalists of that era. When the opportunity to revive Pen Zimbabwe arose I took on the role of interim Chairperson – it helped me steer programmes directed at young women and the community in general to revive literature and encourage the nurturing of new voices – Feb 2016- August 2017.

I believe in the importance of education. But, as a woman who had to work and raise her children, my formal education took a backseat. I am in the process of applying to universities because now I can focus on my own academic growth. I also believe in learning from life’s experiences and my time raising and educating my children has not been wasted. I have acquired great knowledge from the university of life which has enriched my writing.

We are limited only by the breadth and depth of our dreams. We grow by holding each other up and acknowledging and exploiting our diversity.

Whose Daughter my Child? – a novel on Gender and HIV/AIDS Amerdon Media 2006 (Now published on Amazon under the title; Oh Daniel)

The Power and The Glory – a media book that discusses the permanent realties of journalism – MISA-Zimbabwe 2011

BIO – DATA

–Grace Tafadzwa Mutandwa is a trained journalist with almost three decades of experience in both print and electronic media. Mutandwa is a prolific writer with sound editing and social media skills. The expert has a good command of English, strong strategic communication, and analytical skills. The writer has worked with diplomatic, media, cultural, religious, educational and political entities in Zimbabwe and abroad.

Over the years Tafadzwa has worked first as a junior reporter with the Sunday mail Newspaper in 1984 and later became a senior reporter in 1985 . In 1986 was appointed the Zimbabwe Inter-Africa News Agency (ZIANA) as a senior parliamentary reporter, later on in 1988 she joined the Inter Press Service(IPS) Africa Women Features Service as an Anglophone Coordinator, while in 1990 her star continued to shine as became the journalist/editor for the Ecumenical Documentation and Information Centre monthly Economic and political Newsletter. . She later worked as a Freelance journalist until the late 90s; she also worked as a senior reporter for Chitungwiza Express. Mutandwa worked as a political reporter and lifestyle editor of the Financial Gazette,before joining the Communications sections of the British Embassy in Zimbabwe as the section Deputy Director for almost 10 years . After her retirement from the British Embassy , she expanded her networking by sharing her writing and creativity with the growing writing and creative communities . She had a stint with MISA as a Media -Expert in- residence while also worked with the United States Public Affairs in Harare t training young female journalists in Zimbabwe (Young Female Journalist Mentorship program). Grace Tafadzwa is passionate with the rights and the education of girls and women.

POI– We are greatly humbled to feature a versatile Writer , Health Issues Expert and staunch advocate of social and Gender Justice , Barbara Mhangami – Ruwende. Mhangami-Ruwende is a mesmerizing inspiration to women and girls in Zimbabwe , America and others countries. She has a very tight life schedule as she run a non- government research project , write stories , organize speeches and articles for gender justice conferences . This Creative Titan also works as a Writer in Residence , While in she has graced several Writing , Creative and Arts Spaces that include Writers Festivals ,International Book Fairs , Art Symposiums and Cultural gatherings. We are greatly humble again to feature this bundle of talent in our fast growing , humble and inspiring- Long Live Mhangami-Ruwende!

To all our readers , writers , creative talents , women of resilience and mothers of hope. You can contact us at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com .Do not hesitate to follow , to comment and like our articles.

What is your greatest life, artistic, academic and creative

Achievements?

My greatest life achievement is having and raising four beautiful, socially conscious, activist, grounded, inquisitive, creative and overall loving and loveable daughters. My greatest artistic/creative achievement is writing and completing a novel with the title: ‘I did not ask to be born’. My greatest academic achievement is the PhD in epidemiology, where I conducted research in a topic I am passionate about.

What roles are you playing in transforming your communities?

I have always been a community-oriented person. I attribute it to my upbringing, which was partially rural. I learned very early in life that there was nothing more rewarding than when we all do well. In every community I have lived in, I have tried to contribute something positive. For example, my PhD is looking on Knowledge and attitudes towards HIV in the West African immigrant women in the Detroit Metro area. The long- term view is to create evidence-based intervention programmes, in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Community Health, tailored towards this community that is on the margins here in the United States, Many do not speak or write English so the programmes would be in French, Wollof, and Madinka. I also consult with lawyers, doctors, teachers, social workers on matters pertaining to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Michigan. This is an issue most Americans know nothing but there are more cases of FGM being reported.

I am also an activist against gender-based violence, homophobia, racism and all things that pertain to social justice issues. I take part in protests and marches to protect women’s reproductive health rights, and I am part of the struggle for a basic human right: Healthcare.

What are your future prospects in your career and your life?

I look forward to continuing the work that I am doing in public health and I also look forward to writing more. As my girls get older, I will hopefully have more time to devote to my creative projects.

What is your parting shot to fellow women and girls?

Be true to who you are in all areas of your life. This is not easy given the fact that we live in a world that often treats difference as a negative thing. Fight for the space to be totally you. It is your right and no one has the right to dictate to you how you ought to be. You have the right to express your sexuality, your political and cultural views without harassment or fear of retribution. Discover the things that give you joy and embrace them. It is your birthright to be joyful. Help your sisters on the life long journey of self- discovery. Share opportunities, knowledge and laughter and where you find yourself in a leadership position, lead from feminine leadership principles. This way we can create a better world than the one we currently live in. Be kind to oneself and to one another, it makes the most arduous journey lighter.

Barbara Mhangami –Ruwende is a scholar practitioner in public health with a focus on minority women’s sexual and reproductive health.Mhangami-Ruwende is the Founder/ Director of the Africa Research Foundation for the Safety of Women. She is originally from Zimbabwe. She holds degrees from University of Glasgow, Scotland, Walden University and attended the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She writes opinion editorials on the status of women with a focus on Africa. She consults on policy and has written policy briefs with recommendations on ending violence against women. She has been on panel discussions around the issue of FGM and looking at novel ways to end the harmful cultural practice.

Barbara is a vocal activist and advocate on issues to do with gender-based violence, economic justice for women and gender parity in government institutions. She is a writer published in the short story anthology Where to Now by AmaBooks Publishers, Zimbabwe, on Storytime online literary journal, on Her Zimbabwe feminist website, in the anthology of short stories, Still by Negative Press, London, in the Journal of African Writing, 2014, in the annual short story Anthology, African Roar, 2013 the Caine Prize Anthology 2014, the Gonjon Pin and Other Storiesby New Internationalist. She is also published in Guernica Magazine 2016, USA and in Maple Tree Literary Supplement, 2017, Canada. Her poetry has been published in the anthology Muse for Women, 2013 and African Drum by Diaspora Publishers, 2013. She was a 2014 Hedgebrook Writer in Residence and Caine Prize for African Writing workshop attendee. She is a mentor with the Writivism program at the center for African excellence (CACE) Foundation and a member of Rotary International.

This is a surprise blog -post to both our readers and the featured Icon herself. Sometimes we feature any personality of outstanding traits as a way of inspiring the growing generation of young women and writers at large with the aim of validating the importance of resilience , hard work and dedication to the creative enterprise service. The featured personality is a clear example of above mentioned revered human traits.

Literary Arts Specialist , Writer , Content Developer , Researcher and Freelance strategist Jane Nineham is one humble but living Literary Doyen who spent many years writing , teaching , organizing , leading and producing high quality educational books , research papers , interventions and articles and around the globe . The inspiring writer has worked with a number of organisations that include UNICEF , Women Writers Association in Zimbabwe , SAFAIDS ,BUDDING WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE among others. She has extensively worked as an Editor , Compiler , Writer and Board Member . Jane is an outstanding Creative Writing Guru with a practical and proven track record. The Writer contributed immensely to the Education of young Zimbabweans in primary grades. She is widely known of her numerous projects that include the following among others,

Blood on the Page: Interviews with African Authors writing about HIV/AIDS- a Collection with Jane Nineham and other WritersGrade Five – Teacher’s Resource Book, Jane Nineham

Ventures English Alive Book 1 to Book 7

Focus on English Student’s Book 1-5 by Jane Nineham

The Place of Tears: The Novel and Politics in Modern Zimbabwe– Jane Nineham and other Writers

Blood on the Page: Interviews with African Authors writing about HIV/AIDS- a Collection with Jane Nineham and other Writers.

We also invite readers , writers , poets and all to reach us through our Email contact inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com. Follow and comment on our blog-site, Visit our Facebook group –InspiringPersonalities.

Compiled and Edited by Mbizo Chirasha-https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mbizo_Chirasha. Founder and Creative Director of the GirlChildCreativityProject- girlchildcreativity.blogspot.com.Advisory Council Member of the Shungu Namutitima Film Festival in Zambia, Country Manager of the 100 Thousand Poets for Change -global. WordPress Publisher/Blogger-https://amanziglobalwaterjournal.wordpress.com/, Poet , Communicatorhttps://www.facebook.com/mbizo.chirasha-/, Writer and Social Justice Activist.

POI– We are greatly humbled to feature in this special blog -post , a humble character , a bundle of creativity of talent , a classics musician , a writer , a media doyen , a journalist , a super heroine , a social justice activist, a broadcaster , a mother , a grandmother , a pensioner Noreen Welch. We are humbled by the fact that she agreed to participate in this blog- post and also contribute in her special way in motivating young girls , women ,mothers and grandmothers through her well articulated ,though brief life story. We continue to present to you our beloved super heroines and doyens of inspiration from across the globe.

Underneath is her brief story, Ms Noreen Welch is a heroine of few words.

What is your greatest life, artistic, academic and creativeAchievements?

I personally feel my life has encompassed many highs and a few lows which I overcame with hard work and perseverance. I was fortunate enough to be born with a God given singing voice and spent six years doing classical training that enabled me to tour with various professional companies in several starring roles. To name a couple Nancy in Oliver, Mama Morton in Chicago, I also worked with many bands in New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

My first love will always be music but a close second is my broadcasting career which started first in New Zealand where I worked for the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation five mornings a week on a broadcast to schools programme called Music and Movement.

I worked for RBC, now ZBC on Radio One from 1977 to 1995 as newsreader on radio, breakfast host on Radio One, I produced many programmes and was also a TV news anchor until I left at the end of 1995.

What roles are you playing in transforming your communities?

I think I contributed to my community and country by raising funds through singing and record sales the proceeds of which went towards buying a bus for the Margaret Campbell Centre and Chinyaradzo Home for Children. I am to this day still a member of the Child Protection Society.

In 1992 the country was in the throes of a dreadful drought and through my radio breakfast show I was able to raise funds that were used to feed people in affected areas and we were also able to save quite a few endangered species. It was no doubt my greatest achievement and one I am extremely proud of. A time of incredible generosity and unity in our country.

What are your future prospects in your career and your life?

I returned to New Zealand in 2000 and worked as news editor presenter for a regional South Island radio station.

I am retired now, living in New Zealand on a small pension and I enjoy spending time with my daughter Alex and my granddaughter Khayla. Catching up on my reading, but I’m still passionately attached to Zimbabwe with all its diverse and wonderful cultures. As far as I’m concerned I’m still a Zimbabwean and will be until I die.

What is your parting shot to fellow women and girls?

Don’t ever underestimate yourself, nothing is impossible as long as you have self belief coupled with humility and compassion. Always be willing to lend a helping hand and make a difference

Noreen Welch is a revered Zimbabwean Radio and Television Journalists and Veteran Newsreader was in Capetown , South Africa in 1943. At the tender age of 7 Noreen moved to New Zealand where she acquired her high school education at ChristChurch Girls High School.She returned to South Africa in 1975 and joined the Performing Arts Council of the Transvaal PACT, touring South Africa and the then Rhodesia in the musical Chicago.In 1976 she moved to Rhodesia now Zimbabwe and was employed by the local broadcaster on Radio Jacaranda and Radio One.

Noreen Welch is widely known of her ethical media reporting and true story telling .She told the Zimbabwean story , the Zimbabwean political condition with a passion . She is of those media doyens who have lived to see Zimbabwe rotting in moral and political decadence . She has lived to tell the Zimbabwean Soap opera with great dexterity among other journalism atributes . Her Voice is her weapon and her pen is her sword. She veteran broadcaster , journalist is quite a doyen . She got mesmerizing merit under her belt- a super media heroine. From 1976 to 1996 Noreen worked as a Deputy Controller for Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation , Radio One Station. She also had a one year stint as a News Editor/Presenter at Canterbury in Air.
Noreen wrote several political articles mostly about Zimbabwe across the globe with various media houses and projects. Ms Welch graduated in English and History from the University of Ortago and a Bachelors of Arts majoring in English at Queen Elizabeth College. She is now retired and lives in NewZealand.

POI- Theresa Stromnes is a unique character , a confident human being , a vivid storyteller ,proactive in all her doings . The personality grew up in a diverse of cultures , cults and traditions. Despite her race . She grew up to experience and adapt in the strong Zulu traditional cult. She devised and earned her story telling skills and her energy , confidence and detail is unquestionable. Read with attention about this amazing personality. This mesmerizing personality is more friendly to animal species and she is environmental friendly. Kindly send your profiles , stories and other writings at inspiringpersonalities@gmail.com, follow our Facebook group and our Twitter . Post your comments and likes on the blog site.

Unique Character -It is interesting to me that you would find me, out of all the many outstanding women in this world, as a woman of resilience and a mother of hope, for I am indeed that person in

my own small way. I cannot even begin to equate myself to women in refugee camps or to those who are raped and sold into slavery and, and, and….

– When an African become more African than her africaness– I come from a very Matriarchal background:

My father killed himself when I was three. My mother, a teacher, had to return to work to raise her 4 children. I was the third youngest. I walked to the local government schools and finally matriculated there.

An absolutely pivotal person in my life at this stage was my Zulu mother, Winnie Majola, Makhosi. There is so much to write about this incredible woman that it might be better to chat to you personally so that

you will be able to capture the true essencence of our connection. Winnie was my world. She spoke to the part of me that was African, to the woman who walked closely to the earth, who got up to feed her

children no matter what; the women who fiercely defended one another and their family and their ancestors and their culture and their belief and who kept it all going against all odds. Day after day we would sit

after school and eat lunch together at the old wooden table in the kitchen. Winnie always made be skoko (the crust of the phutu ) and imfino (zulu spinach ). (please excuse my spelling…I am just spelling the words

literally as I say them as I have never had a formal Zulu education )

Anyway, at that stage Winnie was still a Thwasa and she over time became a full blown Makhosi. She always told me that my ancestors would call me and follow me and one day it would me my turn to throw the bones

and be a Makhosi. One night whilst cooking supper for my family, I dropped everything and said ‘I have to go”… ‘Winnie is calling me.”

I raced down to Mccords hospital and found exactly where her room was without ever having been there. She was guiding me of course. She turned to me; I said ‘Makhosi’. She said ‘Makhosi’, and she closed her eyes and died. There isn’t a day that she isn’t with me. I see her in all the spirit animals. Frog is birth and Bat is cleansing. I know she is with me. We laid her to rest at her family home in Impendle. We took her unresting spirit from my mothers house with the imfundise and the hlahla mkhosi tree branch ( the buffalo thorn tree ) and she was at peace.

Your parting shot to other women and girls?

So, I supposed I am working back to front in answering this question first but if you know what you want and love and believe in, then you will find your truest

and most sustainable path and hopefully joy and fulfillment. I have always said that it would be so perfect if we were born with wisdom and then gradually became

childlike rather than the other way around. We are expected to make the biggest decisions in our life when we the most ‘unwise’. Alas, there must be a reason that

it is that way….

Anyway, here are some of the things that I have learnt and that I think all women should know:

A lot of it has been said before but has become clichéd and so we just brush over it and don’t really believe in it.

You are beautiful and strong and capable beyond your wildest imagination. ITS NEVER ABOUT YOUR PHYSICAL APPEARANCE. Beauty shines from within.

Remember the time you were exhausted and plagued with illness and still got up to bathe and feed your children? That is mother.

Remember when you held out a hand to someone else in need? That is compassion.

Remember when you put all you plans on hold for someone else.That is selflessness.

Remember when you put on your best dress and some makeup and braided your hair for 4 hours, even though you had so many other things that needed your

attention, like work, school, family, food,housekeeping…but you did that for someone else knowing that you would work late into the night to complete your chores

…that is love and kindness and woman.

You will always find the strength somewhere to get through everything that needs to be done. I don’t know how it works, and when I look back at raising my two

sons on my own and working full time, I don’t know how it happened and how I did it. I believe in God and I believe in miracles and I believe in women.

You are not edified by the man whose arm you lean on or by the children who bear your name. You are edified by being beautiful, strong, courageous,

kind, forgiving, selfless, intelligent, wise and invincible.

Don’t compare yourself to others. There are always people who are more beautiful or more clever or more accomplished or, or,or, or….you are perfect just the way

you are and everyone has a gift; nurture it.

Spend your time with people who uplift you and know your ‘wonderfullness’.

Never give up on love.

Love and respect your mothers and grandmothers and all older women in your life. Spend time with them and listen to their stories and glean their wisdom and

understand your roots and background and culture.

Learn to sew a quilt and cook a family meal and plant a vegetable garden.

Happy girls are the prettiest girls. Have fun, laugh a lot and dance and sing, even alone at home if you are shy to do it in front of others. Move your beautiful body.

Note–-Theresa inspires a generation of young women and girls. Her story is a true story and can help avert xenophobia attitudes.

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